In a surprising revelation from the ongoing manga art exhibition in Japan, Gege Akutami, the creator of “Jujutsu Kaisen,” shared insights into the storyline involving Kento Nanami’s death during the Shibuya Incident arc. Initially, Akutami had not intended for Nanami to meet his demise at that point in the narrative.
During the exhibition, Akutami reflected on how characters can influence the story’s direction, stating, “Sometimes it feels like… the script progresses and evolves depending on the characters themselves.” He admitted that he initially wished to avoid Nanami’s death during the intense Shibuya Incident but found the narrative leading inevitably to that pivotal moment.
Nanami’s death profoundly impacted Yuji Itadori, the protagonist, pushing him into deeper emotional turmoil and providing motivation for subsequent events. Akutami noted, “I didn’t want Nanami to die at that point, but I was thinking that maybe there was no way around it,” highlighting how the character’s demise became a catalyst for Itadori’s growth.
The Shibuya Incident marked a turning point in “Jujutsu Kaisen,” introducing a series of significant deaths that continue to shape the manga’s bleak and intense narrative. Akutami’s reflections hint at more dramatic developments to come as the story progresses towards its conclusion.